Pokemon Go: Pokestop Distance Increased After Backlash
Last Updated on: 26th August 2021, 01:11 am
Pokemon GO’s Twitter announced today that the Pokestop distance will be brought back to the pandemic era distance of 80 meters globally. Additionally, this will remain as such for the rest of the game’s lifespan. Finally, the results of the task force made to address fan outcry will be announced on September 1st
Following the global pandemic, Pokemon Go developer Niantic made a number of temporary changes to the game, allowing players to keep as close to the full experience as possible despite quarantine. One of the most beloved of these changes was the Pokestop distance being increased from 40 to 80 meters. After restrictions started being lifted worldwide, this change was reverted, causing huge fan backlash.
Allegations of breaking Google Play ToS, raid paywalls, and a general history of poor communication from Niantic had become severe enough for the company to create a task force to better unite Niantic and PoGo’s player base. This was something of a landmark moment as Niantic had rarely, if ever been that open and forward with the fanbase and seriously made a palpable attempt to address player concerns.
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Some have stated that the changes should have stayed with the pandemic, as Pokemon Go was made to get people more active and to travel. While yes, the vision is true, a doubling of Pokestop distance really wouldn’t do much to stop players from exploring. Even if the goal were to be a stopgap for the pandemic, ultimately, the distance increase made the game notably more accessible to disabled players.
Even if one were to somehow interpret this as a bad thing, the distance increase wouldn’t suddenly make it so that the Go player base were to become couch potatoes. An increase from 40-80 meters was obviously helpful in allowing players to socially distance, but that distance really isn’t huge. The only Pokestops which one could argue would less incentivize players to move would be ones that they were living within 80 meters of, but further than 40. To which I ask: does the 40 meters really matter?
Most players will continue to walk to Pokestops in their area and spin them, and those too lazy to walk the extra 40 meters are only really being rewarded with paltry amounts of Poke Balls, Berries, and the like. Really I just… don’t see the downside to the increased spin distance. All players benefit to at least some degree, and the measure is especially helpful to the disabled.
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Regardless, I personally am incredibly glad to see Niantic start to really address community concerns and look forward to the info released from the task force.
